cool new midi controller keyboard for G2/NM Micro users

dasz · Last edited by dasz on Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:46 am; edited 2 times in total

Hey folks, I know I'm always pushing the G2 panel ... but Novation seems to created a very nice design indeed for those with a G2 engine ... Just released at AES

http://aes.harmony-central.com/119AES/Content/Novation/PR/ReMOTE-SL.html

and

http://www.novationmusic.com/news.asp?id=85

the labeling (via LCD) above the knobs and faders looks familliar (like the G2 panel) but in blue ...

although there in not enough info on the knobs -- some look like infinite, some not, .... but 8 buttons (controlling variations), 16 knobs, and 8 faders, a touchpad and joystick ...

looks like fun ... qeustion is how much $$$ ???
/Dasz

rnp · Joined: Sep 14, 2004 Posts: 55 Location: germany

if it's the same style as the remote 25 there are 8 potentiometers and 8 encoders.. looks that way in the high-res picture too. The displays look exactly like the ones in the Mackie Control.. very nice in lowlight situations, way better than your average 2 line display. pricing.. oi. 400-500 probably.. if this would have a firewire audio interface built in it'd be my dream machine for lightweight live gigs. (I just bought an Alesis Photon X25 that does just that albeit less stylishly)

I used to have a Remote 25 Audio and in the end wasn't convinced by its build quality (and drivers back then), this one looks a bit more reliable, but the difference between a $200 plastic controller and a $500 plastic controller isn't big enough in my opinion. I'd rather have a tank-like construction and a bit more weight (as long as the formfactor stays small).

GovernorSilver · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:30 am Post subject:

Yes, the build quality is a question for me too, as I am also a Remote 25 (original) owner. The Remote 25 has a nice feature set but one of the keys has a tendency to get stuck and all the controls have a cheap feel to them.

G2DREAM · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:36 am Post subject:

Hi there my friend rnp!U just bought the the photon x25:
Well here is the point: I am a reviewer-test pilot- for a music technology magazine here in Greece,it is called Soundmaker ( www.soundmaker.gr ) and for the next's month issue i am preparing a review based on photon 25 and on photon x25.So i was wondering if you could give me some information about your impressions. The x25 that i am working on has many probems, concerning the xp asio driver and its lighting!I you can give me the info,you could please reply here or pm me so we do not loading this post created for the very nice indeed novation remote controller.
Alesis didn't bother to reply to my mails at all!
Thank you very much in advance!

dasz · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:47 am Post subject:

yuk! why would someone build a nice controller but ruin it by using cheap parts ... bottom line maybe?

damn ...
/Dasz

dasz · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:48 am Post subject:

I should not have posted this topic .... but the LCD's above the knobs and faders look so nice ...

/Dasz

jamos · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:53 am Post subject:

Actually you're right: it's the bottom line. And the musician suffers. Wall warts, bad jacks, plastic cases, encoders and knobs that are not secured to the front panel, etc. - all are just a way to cut costs without rgard to the user's needs.

That's one reason I love the G2: it's a solid instrument. I haven't dropped mine (and hope I don't), but the metal case makes it seem more like an instrument and less like a toy.

So this box looks like a good thing in concept.. but since it's in a cheap plastic case, I won't be buying it.

rnp · Joined: Sep 14, 2004 Posts: 55 Location: germany

Now if only the G2 had a firewire interface, more inputs, more MIDI I/O and came in the old Nord Modular formfactor..

actually, the Bitstream 3x is almost what I need, but it'd need an audio interface builtin, too.

jamos · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 11:47 am Post subject:

If the G2 had a fireWire interface, I couldn't use it, because none of my 7 computers have Firewire.

If it came in a smaller form factor, I wouldn't want it, because the NM keyboard is too small.

Some improvements in MIDI would be nice, but I can't see that it needs "more" in terms of more jacks or anything.

More inputs would be cool, but i never use more than 2 anyway.

In short, yeah, we could always use "more", but the G2 is a fantastic instrument, and Clavia has done a superlative job in designing and building the instrument. If you want more, buy a second one!